French automotive major Renault today introduced the multi-purpose vehicle, Lodgy, in Hyderabad. The vehicle is its sixth offering in the country since its entry about four years ago.

The company has placed India high on its business plans and is aiming at a market share of over five per cent by the end of 2016, Rafael Treguer, Vice-President, Renault India, said.

Speaking after the launch of the Lodgy, which has more than 60 changes made to suit Indian requirements, the Renault official said they had the distinction of inventing the MPV over three decades back and their expertise was reflected in the Lodgy, launched across its dealerships in India.

The Lodgy is priced in the range of Rs 8.31 lakh to Rs 11.95 lakh ex-showroom here.

He said over the last three years, Renault had become one of the fastest growing automobile manufacturers and the number one European automobile brand in the country.

“We had announced plans to introduce five new models and have delivered on the promise by introducing the Fluence, Koleos, Pulse, Scala, and Duster and recently the Lodgy. This would be followed by a small car soon,” he said.

The company has a manufacturing facility with the capacity to deliver 4.8 lakh units per annum near Chennai, along with venture partner Nissan. The facility, one of its biggest single location manufacturing facilities in the world, gives it flexibility in terms of the variety of products that could come out of India, he said.

With two research and development centres located in Mumbai and Chennai, the company has all the major ingredients to transform this into a major market for Renault. The number of company sales outlets will go up from 160 now to 205 by the year-end and 260 by 2016-end providing a pan-India presence, he said.

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